FACT CHECK: DOH did not seek closure of resorts due to heat wave

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday refuted claims that it recommended the closure of beach resorts to the national government due to fears of a heat wave.

In a statement, the DOH warned against a Facebook post indicating that Malacañang had approved a recommendation by the DOH-Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH-WVCHD) to shutter beach resorts because of the searing summer heat.

“The Department of Health (DOH) warns the public against a circulating post using the name of Center for Health Development Western Visayas on the closure of resorts due to the heat wave. The DOH would lie to clarify that there is no such recommendation,” the DOH advisory said.

Anomalous posts concerning the closure of Boracay Island and other tourist destinations due to extreme weather conditions have circulated on social media. The anomalous article also claimed that the closure was recommended by the secretary of the health department to the President. Such claims were proven to be false, according to DOH-6.

The post contained a logo of the DOH and the words “Region III”, which refers to the Central Luzon region; the “Western Visayas” name below it, as well as a logo of the Office of the President.

Other media outlets have reported that several Facebook accounts carried the purported news item.

Meantime, the Department of Health reminded the general public to practice health and safety measures amidst intense heat such as: staying hydrated by drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day; refraining from drinking tea, coffee, softdrinks, and alcholic beverages to avoid dehydration; wearing comfortable clothes; using accessories such as caps and umbrellas to protect yourself from direct sunlight; and veering away from staying under direct heat and sunlight, especially during the noon time and afternoon hours.

The Visayas Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Regional Services Division (PRSD) issued an extended weather outlook at 5:00 a.m. on Monday, detailing the weekly weather predictions for Western Visayas and other regions.

Temperature in Iloilo and Guimaras was expected to be between 26 to 33 degrees Celsius on Monday, followed by 26 to 32 °C on Tuesday (April 4), 25 to 32 °C on Wednesday (April 5), 26 to 32 °C on Thursday (April 6), and 26 to 33 °C on Friday (April 7).

Elsewhere, the rest of Panay Island is seen to have 27 to 33 °C temperature until Friday (April 7), while Bacolod City and the rest of Negros Occidental are seen to have a similar temperature outlook as Iloilo and Guimaras.

The PRSD report also indicated that the region’s weather for the week would be partly cloudy to at times cloudy, with chances of rain showers and/or thunderstorms.

The PAGASA announced the start of the warm and dry season in the country last March 21, signalling the end of the cool and dry (amihan) season which lasted from October 2022 to March 2023.

The heat index in Iloilo City peaked at 42°C on Monday, according to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).

CDRRMO head Donna Magno said that the 42°C heat index was recorded at around 12 noon at the Iloilo City Hall where the Automatic Weather Station (AWS) of Shell and Manila Observatory was located. (DG)